I know I know, this content may sound familiar. I didn’t an original piece for October’s blog. October has been a transitional month for me so I decided to take a snipet from last year’s blog on Early Detection and repost it.
Breast Cancer
A mammogram is a test that screens for breast cancer. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends offering mammograms starting at age 40. A woman may decide to defer, but they recommend starting mammograms no later than 50. They also recommend screening mammograms every 1-2 years depending on the woman’s risk factors and personal preferences. After age 55, they recommend a mammogram every 2 years. Most people who are at average risk for breast cancer can stop screening at age 45. Women at risk for breast cancer, like those with a family member with breast cancer or members of ethnic groups more at risk, may continue after age 75 if they choose.
You may need to be screened before the recommended age, be sure to talk to your doctor to understand your risk factors and come up with a plan for cancer prevention and screening.
But why was it transitional? I took and PASSED The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) examination. This exam is a competency-based tool used to measure possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge in the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists delineated by the most current U.S.-based practice analysis study. Basically, I am certified to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate health promotion/ educational programs. This is very exciting this will set me apart from others in the field and provide additional networking opportunities. This certification also requires me to obtain continuing education hours, so I’ll always be learning. Super excited about what will come next, but what actually came next was literally a day later. I started my new position as a Program Manager of Education at one of the top non-profits in the nation (I’ll let you guess which one) this is something I am excited about as well. Next month I will be back with great Public Health Content!
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